Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-10-20
SIAMESE AMAZ0NS.

A Kings Military Body Guard Composed En-
tireIy ofWomen.
Among the other visitors to exhibition
has been the Prince of Siam, brother TO
| the King. He is little man, but has an
olive COM plexion and black eyes, speaks
English perfectly, and has charming
manners. AS an example of one of the
good results of the American exhibition,
during his visit he made a most careful
inspection of the goods in the main
building and spent thousands OF dollars
on all the useful things he sawwh1ch we're
up to the present time unknown to Siam.
He gave an order for 100 typewriters to
one manufacturer, large order for safes
to another, ordered four dozen carpet
sweepels, steam engine, and number
of other ingenious things which attracted
his attention SO that these exhibitors have
the satisfaction of knowing that they
have opened a market for themselves in
Siam at nc greater expense than going
to the American exhibition. The fash
ion having been set by the prince, large
orders for all these goods he assured
them would follow; it would therefore ap-
pear that the people in this country,
which very few of Us stop to realize, is
twice as large in its area as France, and
has population Of about 5000, 900 peo-
pie, are ali making rapid strides toward
modern civilization.
Ee gave US some curious information,
however, about the kings amazons, the
Royal Guard being composed entirely of
women. This battalion consists of 400
womep, chosen from among the handsom-
est and most robust girls in the country.
They receive excellent pay and their dist
pline is perfect. They are admitted to
serve at the age of 49, and are placed in
the army of reserve at the age of %.
From that period they no longer serve
about The Kings person, but are employ
ed to guard the royal palaces and the
crown lands.
On entering the army the amazons
make VOW OF chastity, for which there
is no exemption, unless any of them
should attract the Kings attention and
be admitted among his legitimate wives.
The Kings choice seldom falls on the
most beautiful, but on the most skilled
in military exercise. The costumes
these women wear is very rich. Their
full dress Is composed of white wOllen
robe, embroidered with gold. The cloth
is extremely fine and decends as far as
the knee; it is covered with a light coat
of mail and a gilt cuirass. The arms are
free and the head is covered with gilt
casque. When wearing this dress on
state occasions their only weapon is
lance, which they handle with wonderful
dexterity. With their undress they are
armed with a musket. The battalion
is composed of four com panies, and each
company of 100 women commanded by
captain of their own sex. Should the
~Eo,x, ban drill Id Iur
til roe day. by tho King, who appoints the
most com petent to succeed to the COM
mand.
The King of Siam never undertakes
any expedition without being accom-
panied by his female guard, nor does he
ever hunt, or even ride, without an escort
of the same guard, who are devotedly
attached to his person. Every Individual
of the battalion has five negresses attach
ed to her service, and having thus no
domestic occupation, she can devote her
self exclusively to the duties of her pro-
fession. There is parade ground near
the city, where one company are station
ed for two days every week to exercise
| themselves in the use of the lance, the
pistol and the rifle. The King attends
once month at these exercises accom-
panied by his brother, who shares in
some degree the sovereign power, and
distributes prizes to those most deserv-
| ing. When the death of one of the
parties ensues, the diseased receives
magnificent funeral, and the high priest
pronounces panegyric declaring that
the diseased by her valor has msrited
| eternal rest in the abode of the blest. The
survivor receives the congratulations of
her companions; but as measure of dis
cipline, she is sentenced to pass two
months away from her company in fast
ing and prayer. The military organiza-
tion of this battalion is so perfect chat
the entire army tries to initiate it.